OSAmag78

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 7 8
start and finish of the story. Let
us look at the last sentence first.
John the Evangelist tells us: 'This
was the first of his signs, his
miracles, which Jesus did in Cana
of Galilee, and manifested his
glory.'
So, then, the miracle is almost the
opening act in John's Gospel. It
raises the curtain on a new world.
In it Jesus'glory is made plain.
Now second, back to the first
sentence of the story: 'On the
third dcg there was a marriage in
Cana of Galilee 'John mentions
the two days before this, but he
mentions the third day not simply
to keep Jesus' diary sorted. No, the
third dcg is an allusion to Jesus'
resurrection which happened, of
course, on the third day. It was
Jesus' resurrection which finally
pulled up the curtain on a new
world, on a transformed universe,
on a transfigured humanity within
which Jesus is the first and perfect
exemplar: God's power to redeem
humanity is made manifest. In
John's words, Jesus' glory is
manifested. It was a turning point.
So where does this leave us?
Every now and again I accompany
my wife to the supermarket.
Often due to my incompetence
in searching for the beef stock
cubes or the kitchen towels she
says: 'Oh, go on -off to the playpen.'
The play-pen is Sainsbury's
or Waitrose's wine section. That
keeps me quiet and occupied.
Wine, however, despite the dazzling choice, the attractive labels
and all the rest is not essential to our diet. But the story of Jesus
and the new wine says something different. For the symbolism in
this tale about wine is almost as powerful as you'd find. It is a
symbol of a most remarkable turning point. Plain water in huge
pitchers is transformed into gallons and gallons of outstanding
wine -premier cuvee, appellation controlee, best vintage and all
the rest. Here is abundant grace and a world transfigured by God.
This all happens because of the appearance of Jesus in his
Incarnation.
Seventy three years ago, on the corner of Fore Street and Moor
Lane, saw a turning pointing within a very localised human
frame. This past year may have seen a glimmer of an economic
turning point at a fraught time in our national fortunes. But as
we celebrate this New Year we recall a turning point of infinitely
greater power, in God. Economic turning points, social and
political turning points, cultural turning points are essential to
our future. But without the deepest spiritual roots these will be
as nothing.
That event on that night in 1940 they have allowed eventually
for my birth. But the incarnation and resurrection captured in
that story of the miraculous wine tells a story new birth for all
humanity. It spells out the true turning point which is at the
heart of the entire tradition of European Christian Humanism.
This great city has been one of the key nurseries of that tradition.
How can that same rich tradition energise, that is -give soul, to
our city as we embark on this New Year? How can it mark a
seminal-even radical-turningpoint? How can it be, in the words
of Dean Alington's hymn 'tidings of a new creation for an old
and weary world?'
Amen
FAMiLiES oF PRioRY RoAD AND iTS
ENViRoNS BY A FoRMER RESiDENT
Dear Geraint
Kelvindale, 8 Nutwood, Frith Hill Road
GODALMING, Surrey GU7 2HG
I received a letter recently to inform me that Muriel Burgess had
died. I don't expect that will mean much to many Old Stationers
but she had lived at 141 Priory Road for well over 50 years. To
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